Page 89 of Coming Clean

Jeremy picked up anotherapple and started peeling it. Anything to distract him from thejudgment in David’s eyes. “If he wanted—”

“You’re scared. I get that,but—and believe me this isn’t easy for me to say—Connor might bethe best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

David’s words startledJeremy so much he nearly cut himself. “Really?”

“Yes. You’re happy whenyou’re with him. Even I see that.”

Jeremy sat the knife downso David could pull him into a hug. Jeremy relaxed against him,enjoying a few seconds of comfort. “I’ll think about it but I’m notmaking any promises. I think getting away on my own is what Ireally need.”

“Jeremy, the last thing youneed is to be alone.”

“I like beingalone.”

David shook his head. “Youlike being with Connor more.”

****

Connor used hisforearm to wipe sweat off his forehead. He’d taken on as many extracleaning projects as he could handle. When that didn’t keep himbusy enough not to sit around pining for Jeremy, he’d asked hislandlord if he could repaint his apartment. He’d been working onthe living room all morning and he was hot and tired and coated inpaint. But he wasn’t going to stop until he was done. Maybe he’dfinally be so tired he could fall asleep, or at least sitstill.

A few seconds after hefinished painting the last wall, someone knocked on his door. He’dalready told Sabrina he wasn’t doing anything but painting today.She better not have come to pester him into going out somewhere. Hestill hadn’t called Mario. Mario had called him a few days ago butConnor had let the call go to voicemail. Yes, he’d resorted toignoring his friend rather than being honest with him. He hadn’tcalled Jeremy either. That was yet another thing he was too much ofa coward to do.

He sighed as he set hispaint roller down and wiped his hands. He checked the peephole tosee who was at the door. David. Connor certainly hadn’t expectedthat. He’d have thought David would be thrilled that he and Jeremyhad called it quits.

“What’s up?” Connor askedwhen he opened the door.

David gave him aonce-over.

“If you’re offended by howdirty I am, then leave.”

“What? No.” David lookedgenuinely puzzled. “I’m here because Jeremy had an offer on thehouse.”

“Good for him.” Now he wasall set to leave. Connor would probably never see himagain.

“So you’re fine with that?”David asked.

Hell no.“He has a sought-after job. He found a buyer forhis house. Shouldn’t I be happy for him?”

David gave him a look ofdisgust. “He’s not taking the job. He thinks he should sell thehouse so he can go travel, which is code for run away in case youdon’t know.”

“And I’m supposed to dosomething about that?” Connor asked. Any influence he’d had overJeremy ended the night of the awards banquet when he’d behaved likea rutting animal.

“Can I come in?” Davidasked, ignoring his question.

Connor did not want toprolong this encounter. “I’m painting.”

“I can seethat.”

“So… I’m busy.”

David glared at him. “Canyou honestly tell me you’re over Jeremy? Because I’ll leave if youcan. Otherwise, I’m coming in. I’ll help you paint if that’s whatit takes to make you listen.”

David was wearingexpensive-looking linen shorts and a button-down. Conservativecompared to his usual. Definitely not painting clothes. Connorwanted David to leave, but there was no way in hell he couldconvince David that he didn’t care for Jeremy. “Fine. Come in. Ijust finished the first coat anyway.”

David stepped in and Connorfelt self-conscious about the mess even though he had no reason to.“We’ll need to go into the kitchen if you want to sitdown.”

“Sit or stand, it doesn’treally matter. I just need you to listen to me since Jeremywon’t.”

Connor had an annoyingthought. “Did Sabrina send you?”